Disclaimer: Still don't own Star Trek ._.
"Ok…so something starting with the letter a?" Jim asked, eyes scanning the surrounding jungle.
"Affirmative. It is also found on earth," Spock hinted, pushing aside a low hanging branch so Jim could duck through.
The two had been walking for a few hours now (approximately three hours, 13 minutes and 24 seconds) and still no sign of the remaining away team. Instead the two had found mosquito like creatures, mud and the occasional spiky branch if they were lucky. Jim wiped at the sweat beading on his brow, scowling slightly.
"Is it…ants?" Jim gestured to a nest on a nearby yellow leaf. Small ant-like insects scurried along the nest, each carrying what appeared to be sap in their two sets of pincers.
"Fascinating, but no. What I had 'spied' was formerly thought to be native to Earth and also included in your mission briefing," Spock added, studying the ants briefly before continuing forward. Jim frowned behind him. While the yellow shirt he wore clung to his body with sweat and mud his first officer looked ruffled but almost impeccable. No visible mud anywhere and only a small tear along the back of his shirt. Jim pouted. How was that fair?
Turning back to the situation at hand, he thought back on Spock's hint. Smug bastard knew he hadn't read the brief!
"Is it…ummm…air?" Jim guessed weakly, well and truly over their game. The Vulcan raised an eyebrow as he stopped walking.
"Do you forfeit Jim?" The captain ignored the way his heart picked up speed as those dark eyes focused on him and nodded sheepishly. Spock gestured to a small toadstool behind Jim's boot with a red cap and white spots.
"A mushroom? I thought you said it started with the letter 'a'?" Jim accused, glancing down at the fungi.
"Correct; Amanita Muscaria. As I previously stated only found on Earth and the subject of-" Spock suddenly broke off and cocked his head slightly, turning to face the direction they had come from. Jim straightened, shifting from irritable to alert in an instant.
"I hear something of great mass coming towards our location. No large life forms were detected on this planet, yet it does not sound of mechanic origin either. I…do not understand," the Vulcan trailed off, puzzled. Jim frowned before he began to hear a faint crashing noise. The small puddle to their right began to ripple as the earth beneath their feet vibrated softly.
What fresh hell was this? Jim opened his mouth to suggest they make themselves scarce before a thunderous roar ripped through the air. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end as he stared wide eyed at Spock.
As one they sprinted forward, hurtling through the undergrowth as whatever the hell it was behind them grew louder. Leaves and branches scratched at his face but Jim ignored the sting, every nerve end on fire with adrenaline. The ground shook violently and the snapping of trees was closer. Jim's lungs began to burn from the exertion as sweat blurred his vision. Another roar rumbled behind them leaving his ears ringing.
And so when Spock grasped his hand and veered left Jim was entirely unprepared.
Stumbling, Spock easily supported his captain's weight and threw them both under the exposed root system of a giant tree, hidden within the large hollow. Jim gasped for breath and Spock kept his hands clenched on Jim's biceps as whatever was following them stopped moving.
Jim's heart found a place in his throat as the deafening silence stretched impossibly long, almost as if the jungle itself was collectively holding its breath. Harsh breathing was heard with a soft rumble just out of their line of sight.
A snarl rang out, closer this time. Jim felt Spock's hands tighten minutely. What felt like an eternity passed before the crashing resumed, fading away this time until Jim couldn't hear it any longer.
"Oh shit," Jim breathed, slumping against Spock.
"Indeed," the Vulcan murmured in agreement. Shock shot through Jim as he snapped out of his relieved daze.
Nestled against Spock as he was, he could feel the Vulcans hard chest against his back and his hands still protectively clutching the captain to him. A spike of something else shot through him and he lunged away, face beet red.
"S-sorry," he spluttered, looking anywhere but at his first officer. Smooth Jim, real smooth, he thought to himself irritably. What was it about Spock that reduced him to a teenage girl with a crush? He'd lost count of how many girls (and the occasional boy) had fallen into his bed during the academy, but now when it counted he was useless.
Spock is different, Jim thought firmly. He wasn't a fleeting attraction, and he sure as hell didn't want anything casual. Spock tore through the layers Jim covered himself with, peeling back one horror at a time to reveal the true James T Kirk. And instead of running as others had done, the Vulcan stayed by his side unwaveringly.
The Vulcan in question raised an eyebrow, amusement glinting in his eyes. Humans were so fascinating. Jim cleared his throat and rose to a crouch, studying his surroundings.
They appeared to be beneath a massive tree, the circumference of which spanned meters on either side. The roots were exposed leaving a sizeable hollow beneath, high enough that Jim could almost stand and wide enough he could cross to the other side in several steps.
All in all not a bad place to hide on an unknown planet, particularly after being chased by whatever the hell that was.
"So…no significant life forms huh?" Jim asked sceptically. Spock crossed his legs and looked up at his captain, back straight and hands clasped in his lap as he thought.
"I personally reviewed the results of the preliminary and secondary scans. The largest form of life on this planet is a species of small bird, certainly no predators to speak of," Spock said softly, deep in thought.
Jim took the chance to peel off the yellow over shirt in disgust, balling it up and throwing it to the opposite side. Left in only his thin black under shirt Jim supposed it would have to do. He missed the heated gaze that swept over him, flicking away a moment later.
Spock clenched his jaw and refocused his train of thought.
Before long (approximately 12.32 minutes) the pale green bark of the tree began to glow softly, illuminating the small space. Jim's eyes widened in amazement as the light pulsated gently, dimming and brightening in a slow beat.
"Hey Spock, have you ever seen anything like this?" Jim asked in wonder, staring at the wood. Spock blinked as he glanced around, taking in the sight around him.
"No, we had nothing like this on Vulcan. It is quite beautiful. Perhaps a response to the setting of the sun?" Spock murmured. Jim nodded mutely, glancing over at the Vulcan.
Leaning back on his hands and legs crossed, the young captain had never seen his usually stoic first officer so relaxed. The green luminosity reflecting off his skin gave Spock an almost ethereal glow, causing Jim's breath to catch and mouth go dry. He had the fleeting thought that this man would be his undoing.
And as those dark eyes locked with his own, Jim couldn't help but think that he didn't mind.